This holiday season in Washington, a firestorm of controversy has erupted over the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s provocative sign at the state capitol building, reading:

At this season of the Winter Solstice,
may reason prevail.
There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell.
There is only our natural world.
Religion is but myth and superstition that
hardens hearts and enslaves minds.

The sign, displayed in a niche in the ornate capitol building, joins a menorah, a nativity scene and a Christmas tree as symbols of the season. The policy for display? “Generally, organizations that apply in advance to have a display that isn’t considered disruptive or seen as promoting one religion over another are acceptable,” said Steve Valandra, spokesman for the Department of General Administration.

Those who read this blog run the gamut of belief systems – devout Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, agnostics, atheists. One common thread that unites us is respect for each other’s beliefs, and for our fellow man.

I don’t dispute that the Freedom from Religion Foundation has every right to apply for and receive permission to stage a celebratory holiday display representing rational humanist beliefs. If we are going to display a Christmas tree and a menorah, we open that floodgate.

I do argue that the sign that was created and displayed is not a nondisruptive display that avoids promoting one religion over another, nor is it an appropriate display of celebration of that group’s belief system.

Or do agnostics/atheists place their presents under easel-mounted anti-religion signs in the days leading up to winter solstice, to be opened in the black-and-white shadow of the posterboard on Solstice morning?

Every year, the White House Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments made by artists from every state throughout the nation.

This year, one of Seattle’s artists decided to submit this ornament, on the right. Looks colorful, eh? Click for an expanded view.

This activist artist submitted an artistic piece – to be hung by Laura Bush on a tree in her own home – with the words “Impeach Bush” on the surface, as well as a picture and quote from uber-liberal Washington Rep. Jim McDermott, who signed the House resolution to consider impeachment.

There is a time and a place for political activism, and there are many excellent venues for free and vehement speech. I’m not entirely sure that Christmas trees and controversial political statements mix well, and I’m really certain that common courtesy would indicate not creating an ornament designed specifically to provoke and offend the recipient.

Note that I’m not even addressing the message here – whether you love Bush, feel he’s misguided or actively detest him, it doesn’t matter – I still think that this particular artists’ submission was pretty offensive.

Update: an article in my local paper, the Kitsap Sun, featured a peninsula artist and indicated the artists were instructed to avoid ‘politically touchy subject matter’.

Details and image courtesy of the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

We’ve had a great Thanksgiving this year. We’ve eaten turkey and pie, spent wonderful time with family and enjoyed the time off from our everyday cares.

This year, and every year, I’m thankful for:

• My husband, who supports me through everything
• Our two smart, talented boys
• Our wonderful families, who are always there if ever we need them
• My friends, both here and in Anchorage, who are the best
• My community of online friends – and really, there’s no distinction except the ability to deliver an actual hug
• Our smug puppies, whose love is unconditional and enthusiasm is endless
• My health and the ability to enjoy life every day
• Our comfortable, beautiful house that is both a peaceful retreat and a gathering place
• My job, for all that it drives me nuts at times, keeps me challenged and pays me well
• The opportunities I have to write, create beautiful things, travel, use the Internet to connect to the much larger world
• The freedom we have in this country, to speak openly, to access information without restriction, to live as we choose and to hold free and democratic elections

  We are truly blessed.

My town does a 3rd of July celebration instead of a 4th of July bash. Tonight we’re going to head down to waterfront park for some good music, good company and fireworks at sunset.

Tomorrow we’re going to stay close to home. We’ll smoke chicken and beef brisket and have a lazy backyard picnic. The doggies really hate fireworks, and we live near an Indian reservation so there are lots of fireworks in our area. Once the sun goes down and the noise starts up, we’ll hole up inside and put on a good movie for background noise.

The rest of the weekend? Who knows? It depends on the weather, which has been cool and thunderstorm-y. (Check out Beast Mom’s pictures of the lightning strike near her home!) If it clears up we’ll take the boat out for some time on the water, and if not, maybe we’ll just stay home and get caught up on projects, movies and reading.

I love long weekends though, they’re full of possibilities. If you haven’t already talked about it on someone else’s blog post, what are you doing with yours?

To those who have gone before: thank you. You’ve made this world a better place.